The empirical and the computational are coming together in the OpenWorm Project. how easily and effectively can something as simple as a roundworm be modeled?

OpenWorm aims to build the first comprehensive computational model of the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a microscopic roundworm. With only a thousand cells, it solves basic problems such as feeding, mate-finding and predator avoidance. Despite being extremely well studied in biology, this organism still eludes a deep, principled understanding of its biology. [emphasis mine]

A deep, principled understanding of a creature's biology would certainly be nice to have.

Running the clock in reverse? Maybe only some simpler organisms can do this for the same reason that only some simpler organisms can regrow limbs. Which makes me wonder, "Is the transformation of the caterpillar start with a sort of reversal of differentiation? Or must the caterpillar cells die to make room for the differentiating butterfly cells?